The Leveson report has been a long time coming. Since 1949 there have been five inquiries into the operation of the press in Britain. On each occasion, we have heard the same kind of outcry against independent scrutiny from media barons, a narrow band of newspaper pundits and politicians who serve the rich and powerful.

We are experiencing a crisis of trust in our public institutions, says Jill Segger. She suggests that The Society of Friends could play a significant role in preventing a slide into destructive cynicism.